One doesn’t find themselves in a stranglehold on the average day. Most people never do, as a matter of fact. After all, most people were not unruly children, or eternally drunk tavern dwellers. And most knew better than to saunter down dark alleys. Alas, what is law in humanity’s world is but an oddity in that of dragonkind, as Victor would come to find out.

“Father, could you please, agh! Could you please put me back down?!”

“Not yet, son.... ”

Victor thrashed and flopped about, to little use. The golden giant was far too strong to let someone so out of shape break free. It was like a faun trapped inside of a small crag, desperately bleating for its parents to come and save it. But the parent here didn’t care much for its young, despite said young’s protests.

Even after catching the umpteenth earful of laughter, Lothar persisted. Talons over the neck, gentle rubs with the nose, as if Victor had been born fifteen minutes ago. The red’s cheeks puffed out. He tried a simpler approach of soft pushing, hoping it might work out. But alas. After a few more minutes of struggle with nothing to show for it had gone by, and the laughter had turned into choke-like wheezing, Victor had had his fill.

“Argh! Don’t you see how embarrassing this is?!” Victor kicked towards his friend standing by a tree, who had sunk down its trunk onto the grass, mouth buried under both hands. A stone’s throw away, a dragon laid rolled on its back, his roars of utter joy loud enough for all residents of Westedge to hear for themselves.

“Son, please do not leave me again,” Lothar said, tilting his head back, cracks appearing in both his ambers. “You make me worry far too much.”

“But I was only helping someone! You know this already! You’re the one who even brought it up to begin with! Let go of me already!” Victor beat his tail against the ground.

“Sorry, son.” Lothar gave in at last, to much ado from the onlookers who wouldn’t have minded seeing a little more of Lothar’s parental duties. “I admit, I may worry too much about you. With how you have been, I cannot help but fear the worst whenever your whereabouts are uncertain. For all I know, you might have...” the gold dragon winced. “I believe you know.”

Victor shook his head, before backing away from his father, lest he be taken again. “Yes, yes, I get it… But you know I was being accompanied the whole time! I’m not a child anymore, father. I can handle myself. Enough to help someone with their chores for a few days.”

One of Lothar’s brows rose. “Hmm, if I may wonder, what were these chores, exactly? Some of my commanders have told me that you boarded the expedition to Snowcap Island.”

A chill ran down Victor’s back. “That’s true,” he said, gulping afterwards.

“May I ask what chores you had to do there? There is little more there than a few fishing villages, I believe.” Lothar then raised his head all of a sudden, eyes opening wide. "Or were you searching for the legend of the island?"

Victor shook his head vigorously enough to make the sides of his horn press against his neck. “No, I wasn’t searching for any legend! Why would I? What would I gain out of that?”

William chuckled. “Clothes?”

The air filled with a spontaneous, almost painful sounding roar. “Divinity almighty, I ought to remember that one!”

“Please, shut up...” Victor whimpered.

Lothar grunted out loud. “Well, the legend tells of all sorts of wonders transpiring in a legendary temple. Eternal life, awakening from the eternal slumber… even the power to change back into a human.”

The red dragon bit his lip. “No, that’s not what we were doing. My friend Celesta had asked me to accompany her to the island, because she was nervous about the whole thing, yes? She trusted me enough to ask me to accompany her, that’s it!”

He panted out, searching his mind for a much needed resptite. There, hope that gets him to shut it now. I swear, he’ll lock me up forever if he ever finds out. Hopefully he’ll be a little kind on Celesta should he- wait a minute… oh gods no, I just told him, didn’t I?!

The gold dragon sniffed the air, a soft yet ominous rumble ruminating in his throat afterwards. “Celesta?Wraldin’s daughter? What could she possibly want from you, Victor?”

The red planted his forelegs into the dirt several times, a face of confused desperation resting upon his snout. It was reminiscent of a small child whose parents had said no.

“It’s not what it seems, father!! We happened to meet, and we liked each other, okay? She is just a friend, like William back there!”

“Son...” Lothar laid down on the gravel path, his tail coming to rest by his side. “I find it all rather strange. Wraldin never said a word of this to me. Why would his daughter suddenly take an interest in you, Victor?”

Hiding from the sun’s rays away by the waving trees, Raghes chuckled and sputtered into the grass. “The more I hear of this, the more I’m getting a certain picture here in my mind, Victor. Maybe there’s a little love in the air here...”

Victor groaned in a sharp pitch. “No, just shut up! She’s only a friend, that’s all! You never say anything like this about Will, do you?” he shouted, gesturing towards him with his head. The bowman’s face soured in an instant.

“H-hey...”

“Oh, please,” Raghes said.

“Easy now, son,” Lothar said, gently scratching the red’s neck. “It was but a question, little more. Know that I will always stand behind your choices, even if I have my own objections. If the warden’s daughter is truly a friend of yours out of the goodness of her heart, then there is no need for concern. Of course, the truth is still uncertain. I will have to thoroughly speak to Wraldin on this matter.”

The red licked the back of his teeth. “Father, I assure you there’s nothing more to discuss or investigate about this. With how morose I’ve felt, I could use some more support in my life. And Celesta was there to give it to me. Why is that so suspicious?”

Lothar shook his head. “If only you could see from my perch for some time. Then, you would understand.”

Victor sighed. “Can I go now?” Gods know I could use some rest.

“Actually, son...” A vibration went up Victor’s spine. What now? “I was wondering what you were planning to do in the future.”

“Is it really that pressing?”

“For me, it is. And I will not let you leave unless you have told me.”

Victor once again caught his tongue pressing against the back of his teeth. “I want to help out William. He has something he needs help with.”

“And what would that be?”

“Err, some of his own chores.”

Restlessness gnawed away at Victor’s body. Every minute he’d have to spend here felt draining: a leech growing fat off of his energy. It was difficult to endure. Every word said was questioned, every error was thrown behind lock and key. As if it had been made law that being Victor Miller was a crime punishable with life behind the walls. Alas for him, long after the interrogation had crossed the line, it found a way to go on just that little bit further.

“That’s a lie and you know it, Victor. You said you were going to help him with his training,” Raghes said.

“No, I-”

“Excuse me, Raghes?”

“I heard it myself, from his own mouth. William has been struggling with keeping his men in line, and they were quite abrasive when they brought it up to me. Granted, I could’ve done more, but they had made their minds up already. Well, William most certainly had.”

Lothar grunted, ears and eyes perched upwards. “Son, is this the truth?”

Victor looked away to his friend, who stood under the shade of a tree. The odour of fresh, sour sweat and hot air ran off of him like water from a roof. Sadly, Victor had come to understand all too well what they betrayed. Fear. As clear as a hot summer day. Teeth pressing against his tongue, the red dragon faced back to the gold, and had but a silent, slow nod to reply with.

As if he had caught wind of prey nearby, the gold dragon raised the corners of his lips as high up without revealing teeth.

“Son, you never told me you were interested in joining the army!” said Lothar with dazzling enthusiasm. His wings had opened a tad; as if he was on the verge of breaking into a roar.

“Well, umm, that’s not-”

“You should have spoken sooner! Divinity knows how hard I have prayed to see you stand on the battlefield in His hallowed name! Nothing would brighten my heart with pride any more! Tell me, what exactly has made you hesitate?”

Victor shook his head. Of course, his interest in the war went no further than helping his friend out, but there was little chance his father would accept such an answer. He had already disappointed the poor old man a few times too many.

“Well, err, I didn’t want to get involved, because… because I didn’t want to lose what I had. Will’s company, that sort of thing. And I remember hearing you talk about ‘needing to be strong even without familiar faces at your side’, which made me never want to ask.”

The gold dragon lowered his head. A soft, purr-like growl rolled out of his throat, as he stroked the red’s neck with his nose. “There is nothing to be afraid of, my son. I would never allow such cruelty to fall upon your head in such dire times. Whatever company you wish to keep, you will receive.”

The blue dragon walked out the shade into the weak sunlight, an itch resting in his dry mouth. “I wouldn’t be so certain of that, Lothar.”

Lothar’s head shot back up in an instant. “What…?” Victor nervously stepped back. I don’t like where this is going...

“We have that rule for a reason, my lord. War’s not a clean matter, as you’re well aware. It would do him a lot of good if he learns to stand up for himself right now, so that-”

A deep growl shook the air, sending empty branches rustling and scraping against one another. Lothar’s teeth gleamed, even as a cloud drifted across the sun, eyes narrowed down to a sliver. “Do not dare...”

Raghes shrunk down to the gravel. “Y-yes my lord...”

“Thank you, well then… Victor?”

Lothar turned back to discover his son crouching on the ground. “Son? I did not scare you, did I?”

Victor pressed his head deeper into the gravel with both his forelegs, both wings outstretched and folded over him like a tent. His scales rattled against one another as the muscles underneath shivered in the cold air. William had vanished; he’d seen the poor kid run like his life depended on it, and he could only curse his own name for not having the same idea sooner.

“Son, could you please come out of there?” Lothar asked. Victor curled up into a ball like shape, stretching his back for the sake of a more convincing picture. Alas for him, a jolt akin to a lightning strike shot from one end of his spine to the other, forcing a yelp out of his mouth.

"ACK!"

"Son!! Are you alright?!"

Victor groaned, as he rolled onto his side. "Yes..."

Lothar dragged his son onto his belly, He tried to call for help, but another yelp from the red put a stop to those plans. Victor's back had no need for any salve or remedy. Not to Victor's feelings, anyway. Afterwards, the gold lowered his proud head, peeking away at the road out of the shrine.

“I… “I suppose I have been a bit too abrasive, have I not?”

“Yes,” a weak voice said.

The gold dragon took a few steps away from the red lump. “I… will have to meditate on this matter. I will be going for now, son.”

To little fanfare, the golden beast vanished away into the path, leaving nothing but dust in his wake. By the time Victor found the courage to stand back up, not even the tips of his father’s horns poked out over the leaves. Raghes once again left the security of the shade, and lowered himself to the ground by Victor’s side.

“This life tires me out sometimes.”

Victor let out a monotone hum. “I can imagine.”

Raghes licked his lips. “Don’t get me wrong, what we’re striving for is more than worth it. But there’s times when I wonder if it could be done without the abuse.”

“Has he always been like this?” Victor said, his lips making a light smacking sound as the words left his mouth.

Raghes shook his head. “No, actually. Funny, for years on end he was as calm as could be, even after the absolute worst news. But something’s changed in him these past few months. It’s got to do with you, if you don’t mind me putting it that way.”

Victor looked away. “I know. Maybe we’d all be better off if-”

“You’re not at fault, of course. He’s just very defensive when it comes to you.”

“Well, in his own words, I’m ‘all he has left’... something like that.”

Raghes raised a talon to his chin. “Ah yes, that is true. Even the toughest of men can break under the pressure. Still, he has to see what effect this is having on everyone around him.”

Victor shook his head. “I wish I could tell him how I truly feel. With how he’s been acting towards me though, I wouldn’t be surprised if I was barred from ever leaving the walls again in my life.”

The blue dragon scoffed. “Wonder of wonders, eh?”

“Wonder of wonders… right.” Victor looked off into the clouds. A dim winter evening’s light was struggling to break through; likely it wouldn’t see success in what little time it had left. ”You know, I can’t help but think all this has made some fed up. Fed up with my father, or with me. I’ve thrown this whole guild… organisation, whatever it might be,” he paused to breathe, “I’ve thrown everyone for a loop. One that you and all the other draconists hadn’t asked for.”

Raghes nodded. “It certainly has made me re envision things. All the commanders had tepidly followed behind Lothar ever since their Blessing. We all saw him as an indomitable titan, much like the legendary king Reval once was. My oh my, were we in for a shock when you came along.”

Victor gave a tepid nod in response, brushing at an imaginary itch on his neck. “Believe me, I didn’t want this either. I imagine all of you must be disappointed, what with me appearing in your midst all of a sudden.”

“Not at all,” Raghes said in a jumpy tone, “Sure, we were disappointed to see Lothar become so vulnerable. Leaders are meant to be strong. Their people count on them for the future, after all. But in a way, it might have been for the better.”

“How so?” asked Victor.

“Simple. Every commander, myself included, is now far more vigilant. Divinity demands it of us. Cosying up behind Lothar’s hard work was no issue when we were mere cave dwellers, but times have changed. People depend on us now. Had we stuck to the old ways, we would’ve been in far more trouble than now.”

“Troubles? What do you mean? Governing shouldn’t be all too complicated, right?” Victor asked. The claw on his neck had drifted to the base of his horns; figures far beyond his stature always had a certain aura to them. “I mean, none of you seem too bothered by it.”

“It is not daily governance that’s the concern, Victor. It’s hearts and minds. To put it simple, people care little for what is said, and more so for what is done. Even the former heartlands of Draconism had their doubts about us, after only a few years of Imperial rule. Years of propaganda from the followers of the wicked witch had done its duty. But that is a long story. Maybe for another day. Know this: No one is disappointed by your presence. Not anymore.”

Victor licked his lips. Memories of his time in the tunnels of the Origin Temple came to mind, memories best left forgotten. Alas, no lock could keep them at bay, no matter how well constructed. A shrill yell from the past pounded on his ears from within; even though he had only heard it for a short time, it had been seared into his skull. That dragoness.

“Listen, you great red coward! Cry all you like about it, you’re a dragon now. And nothing will change that. Either start acting like one, or get out of here!”

Great red coward...

“Because those people have already left us. Left us to choke in a bog.” The red dragon sighed. “I remember that dragoness still. The one that wanted to turn me into a bloodthirster. Merahn was her name, right?”

Raghes shook his head with a fierce glare in his eyes. “I’d rather not have to hear that name, Victor. ”

A dim wave crossed over the gardens. Victor looked off into the clouds which all had taken on a somber hue. The winds whipped by with force; the ancient winter chill, the bane of all living things, was present in all its cursed glory.

“Well then, shall we get going, Victor? I could use a hot drink.”

The red dragon nodded. “Yeah, me too. But… I cannot help but feel a little bad, knowing it had to end up this way. That I’ve managed to upset her enough to leave-”

“Enough is enough,” Raghes said. “That witch betrayed the cause over the pettiest of reasons. Her wellbeing means nothing to me, as do all the other jesters and rabble she's gotten to accompany her. Damn them all.”

Victor gulped. “That’s rather heartless of you, isn’t it-”

“Not as heartless as that filthy traitor. I do not waste my energy on people wholly undeserving of it. She desires to live a life of savagery, like some feral beast. Her very existence is spit on the face of everything our ancestors built. She and her harem are probably shivering out in the cold somewhere are we speak, miserable as could be. Damn them all. Let them rot like the treasonous vermin they are.”

“Alright,” Victor muttered under his breath. The whole matter was all a bit too much for comfort.

“So then, Victor. About those hot drinks. They found a shipment of cocoa in Frontier Harbour a few days ago. You ever had a taste of that stuff before?”

“No.”

“Well, today’s as good a day as any to get a first taste. Heavenly stuff! Come, let’s go.”

* * *

An enormous vat hung suspended over a small fireplace, simmering to a boil at a glacial pace. It was as great a fire as was possible with the resources at hand: Winter nights hadn’t so much as got the pity to spit on those it affected. Huddled around vat were two dozen dragons licking their lips, one keeping an eye on the crude stew contained within.

One of the younger clutched his growling stomach with a claw, and whined, much to the annoyance of the adults he was stuck with. No one besides the newcomer sleeping by his side could understand his suffering, and that poor sod hadn’t so much as said a word ever since he’d been turned.

“Master, can we not sleep somewhere warmer? I’m cold...”

“Quiet, you insolent little twerp!” yelled the beast beside him, “If you cannot bear hunger for the sake of Divinity, then you ought to clack those little claws back to Westedge!”

“But master...”

The master growled with inhuman ferocity. The dark green dragon’s whines were rewarded with a slap on the cheek “Ow!”

“One more whine, and you’ll be walking on an aching foot for the rest of the week. That’ll show you what real pain is, ungrateful bastard.”

The green dragon curled up further against the newcomer resting by his side, hoping to forget what he heard. Deep down, he longed for Westedge. To the warmth. To his friends at the orphanage, where he had been staying for the past few months. But there was no going back. He couldn’t ever find a rock in a field, let alone the way back to Westedge.

Time crawled by at the speed of the little spider crawling across the dusty cave walls. Beyond a few whispered prayers, only the shrill howl of the wind outside was there to keep him and the newcomer company. All the others would whip their tails at the thought of dirtying their scales with dimwitted Chalroth’s company, so it seemed.

Alas for him, the night was young, and the winter’s chill only worsened. One of his eyes peeked out of the cave’s mouth, into the inkblack void beyond. No longer were the stars there to greet him; he was alone. The green dragon tried to whine, only for his throat to snap shut at the last second. A sudden ache in his foot had forced him back awake.

Dragons did not cry.